UMass seniors Chris Lowe, Tony Gaffney and Luke Bonner honored prior to final home game

AMHERST - All that has been missing has been an NCAA tournament appearance.

"I'd be lying to say I would not be emotional about my last home game," said Tony Gaffney, one of three University of Massachusetts seniors honored before Wednesday night's basketball game against George Washington at the Mullins Center.

"When you're younger, you take this for granted," said Gaffney, a forward from the Boston suburb of Berkley. "It feels weird that it's coming to an end."

Gaffney, Luke Bonner and Chris Lowe played their final home games. Lowe was the only four-year UMass player.

Gaffney transferred after two years at Boston University. Bonner came from West Virginia after his freshman season.

"It's the end, and it's been a great experience for me," said Lowe, a guard from Mount Vernon, N.Y., and the all-time UMass assist leader.

"It's a great place to be at, and a great institution academically."

Bonner agreed.

"I've had an incredible education, and I love living in this area," said the forward from Concord, N.H.

One of the reasons Bonner transferred in 2005 was to move back to New England.

"West Virginia was a long time ago, but I still keep in touch with a lot of the guys," he said.

Gaffney said he does not keep in touch very much with his old Terriers teammates.

"I still look at the box scores, though, and I hope BU wins. A lot of people are surprised to hear me say that," said Gaffney, who followed former BU teammate and 2008 Etienne Brower to UMass.

Both players were looking to make the game fun again. At UMass, they succeeded.

"I saw a different type of family here. I can't say enough about it," Gaffney said.

"I found my love for the game again, too. For a while, it had been missing."

Gaffney has had a breakout senior season. He is third in the nation in blocked shots, and among the top 20 in rebounding.

Unlike Gaffney, Bonner said he was not overly emotional or sentimental about Senior Day. His memories of UMass, though, will be fond ones.

"I got everything I wanted, and a great basketball experience," he said.

The seniors had to adjust to a coaching change when Travis Ford, who had brought them all to UMass, left for Oklahoma State last season.

"It's like anything. You can have a 9-to-5 job, and the boss might be here one day and gone the next," said Lowe, who had been Ford's first UMass recruit in 2005.

The seniors have missed out on NCAA tournament play, but they did play in the NIT twice and reached the final in 2008.

"They are three really good kids, guys you would let baby-sit your children or have over to your house," UMass coach Derek Kellogg said.

"They have done everything I've asked. They were thrust into some difficult experiences, not just here, but throughout their college careers.

"But they have been great ambassadors for UMass, and they will continue to be, for the rest of their lives."